Residents in Levenshulme and North Burnage are being asked to have their say on a proposed scheme that would improve road safety and air quality in the area.
The aim is to create better routes for walking and cycling trips to local places like shops, schools, libraries and public transport hubs, while also making it easier to cross busier roads.
Safety issues such as traffic speed and volume have been highlighted through analysis of traffic data and the community feedback received to date.
Information collected has shown that a significant number of vehicles travelling through Levenshulme and Burnage are using local streets to “rat-run” to places outside the area.
Acting on feedback which has already been received, the council is now seeking comments on proposed additions, such as new pedestrian crossing sites and traffic-calming measures on roads on the outer boundary of the scheme area.
A six-month trial of the scheme will run, allowing residents to see the changes in their community. This allows for time for changes to be made before the final scheme is installed.
The £1.4m project, with support from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund for cycling and walking, is set to be delivered in two phases. The trial of the first phase will begin during the Christmas period.
A second phase is due to begin in early 2021, during which measures, as suggested by residents, businesses and schools in the Cringle Park, are trialled.
Alongside the Active Neighbourhood project, the council is also working in the area to explore the options of ‘School Streets’, in which busy roads surrounding schools may be closed at certain times of day, while retaining access to and from local properties.
UK Active Neighbourhood Projects have been shown to be greatly beneficial for local communities, as they incentivise residents to get more physically active, and have been shown to lower levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in the air, as car journeys decrease. Studies have even shown that the average life expectancy of residents in these areas are seven months higher than those living in other areas.
Angeliki Stogia, the Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “We believe the measures we’re suggesting to improve walking and cycling routes and cut traffic levels will encourage people to walk or cycle for short trips to shops, schools and local amenities, helping to create a healthier, safer and more attractive neighbourhood.
“Over the summer, we’ve been busy working through suggestions and comments from the community, in preparation for bringing forward this plan for a trial scheme.”
Anybody who would like to get involved should go to www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations, where you can give feedback on the trial plans.
Join the discussion
As a long time resident of Levenshulme I will be very interested to see , hear the noise pollution changes and notice the air quality . Also as a local delivery driver I will experience many times per day the traffic flow . I also cycle often and would expect better signage for the Fallowfield loop .